Statistics show that a staggering one in
four parents would take their child to A&E
if they had a skin rash or a fever and some
parents (3%) even take a child with a cough
to A&E.
These results - from a new survey conducted
by the Consumer Health Information Centre (CHIC)
and Developing Patient Partnerships (DPP) -
show that many parents are unsure who to turn
to when their child is taken ill, with many
overestimating the seriousness of the condition.
Anyone who has a child, or has come in contact
with children knows that they pick up a whole
host of ailments through contact with other
children. This is inevitable, and is an essential
step in the formation of a healthy immune system.
However, a parent's perception of the seriousness
of the symptoms plays a large part in where
they seek advice and help.
CHIC and DPP survey results show that over
a third (39%) of parents worry about their
child catching ailments at school with 49%
of parents saying it is very likely that their
child will catch something during the school
term. This finding is not unfounded as the
survey results show that in the last year,
43% of children have suffered from diarrhoea
and 85% have caught a cough/cold or flu. Pharmacists
are experts in medicines advice and can easily
deal with these common ailments, but many parents
visit their GP or A&E when their child
has a minor ailment:
- Between 20-40 per cent of a GP's time is
spent consulting on minor ailments for the
general population
- 30-40 per cent of A&E attendees are
suffering from a minor illness or minor injury
- 46 per cent of prescriptions from out-of-hours
primary care services (GP visits) are for
over the counter medicines. In this recent
survey for children, GPs say the most common
out-of-hours call for GPs is for the treatment
of earache.
Often, for parents, their GP is the first
point of call when their child becomes ill:
64 per cent of parents would consult their
GP if their child got worms for instance, but
most GPs would advise a parent to visit their
pharmacist for treatment and advice.
However, it would appear that when parents
are confident in their diagnosis of a child's
ailments, then they are confident self-treaters:
99 per cent of parents are happy to treat children's
ailments with over-the-counter remedies. Over
a third of parents (38 per cent) prefer some
guidance on children's medications, and this
is readily available in the form of the local
pharmacist.
- To support parents
dealing with their child's minor ailments,
CHIC and DPP are launching their 'Managing
Minor Ailments' campaign which includes
an information booklet 'Caring
for Kids - a self-care guide to childhood
ailments'. The booklet takes parents
through common ailments, what symptoms
to look out for and how to treat the condition.
The campaign will be run through DPP member
GP practices and Primary Care Trusts and
the booklet will also be available from
the CHIC helpline.
Dr Ian Banks, GP and CHIC spokesperson comments: "When
children have common problems like coughs,
colds and head-lice, you don't always need
to see your GP. Pharmacists are a great source
of advice, can supply a range of children's
remedies and will help you decide if a trip
to the surgery is required".
Commenting on the initiative Dr Simon Fradd,
Chairman, Developing Patient Partnership said: "Knowing
what action to take when their child is ill
depends on parents having a good idea of whether
their child's symptoms are severe or minor.
Health professionals play an important role
in helping parents to know what services to
use and how to self care. NHS Direct offers
24 hour advice on what to do when your child
is ill and pharmacists are an excellent source
of expert advice on medicines and minor ailments."
For
a free booklet on 'Caring for Kids',
call the CHIC helpline on 0207 761 1803
or download your
copy.
Relevant links:
Notes to Editors:
The Consumer Health Information Centre is
an information service set up to help consumers
understand more about their health. A variety
of leaflets on minor ailments such as pain
and indigestion are available from CHIC by
calling 0207 370 2233.
Developing Patient Partnerships is a charity
that runs health education campaigns to encourage
effective communication between health professionals
and patients, help people to use NHS services
effectively and encourage people to manage
their own health. For more information about
DPP and GP and PCT services call 020 7383
6144 or visit the website at www.dpp.org.uk
For further information or to arrange an
interview with a CHIC or DPP spokesperson,
please contact:
Sophie Taylor-Roberts on 020 7761 1786 or
email sophie.taylor-roberts@nexuspr.com
Nicky Smith 020 7761 1714 or email nicky.smith@nexuspr.com
|
